Hi I am wondering what records are the most accurate for birth dates in Norway. If it is the church records how can they be found? Also can you trace families though these records? My grandparents came from Sor-Trondelag, Bessaker and Hofstad area. Are the church records more accurate than the Bygdeboker? Any information will be appreciated. Thanks Bonnie

bpehrson@tds.net wrote: : Hi : I am wondering what records are the most accurate for birth dates in : Norway. If it is the church records how can they be found? Also can : you trace families though these records? My research has been in Hedmark, but I suspect it's not too different where you are looking. I've found the churchbooks to be of great use, as far as they go. Unfortunately, not many go back before about 1700. One thing to watch out for is getting bit by the "right name, but wrong person" problem. Look not only at the child's name, but also at the parents, what farm they live at (having a map helps a lot; see my homepage (link below) for links to good maps sites). Also, look at who the sponsors to the baptism were (if they're listed by your particular pastor; I think this is normally listed). As today, the sponsors are usually related (aunts & uncles), or close neighbors & friends. Have a look at the sponsors, see if they fit in with what you already know (or, they give you good leads for further expansion of the tree!). In the Ringsaker, Hedmark churchbooks, they listed the sponsors including where they lived (gardsnavn), which was quite helpful. I just wish that the pastor hadn't been running low on ink so often, and had to thin it out a LOT, making it real tough to read ;) : My grandparents came from Sor-Trondelag, Bessaker and Hofstad area. : Are the church records more accurate than the Bygdeboker? I would consider the churchbooks to be a primary record, and the bygdeboker to be secondary records; compiled from a variety of sources, probably including the same churchbooks you're looking at. This only becomes a problem if they contradict each other, in which case I'd go with the churchbooks. Keep in mind, that the date in the churchbook is probably the baptism date, rather than the birth date. It's usually days later. : Any information will be appreciated. : Thanks Bonnie Hope I've helped. Please, have a look at my genealogy pages, you may find something of use there: http://www.davehinz.com/genenalogy/ Best regards, Dave Hinz